Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Subversion of justice

The editorial “Brazen subversion of justice” (April 30) was excellent. In the dust and din of the latest controversy surrounding Ottavio Quattrocchi, one interesting feature has been overlooked. Mr. Quattrocchi challenged in the Delhi High Court the directions of the law enforcement authorities regarding his appearance and examination in India. The High Court dismissed his petition. Mr. Quattrocchi filed a Special Leave Petition against the judgment of the Delhi High Court in the Supreme Court.

In the course of the hearing of SLP, the Bench enquired of Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of Mr. Quattrocchi, Rajinder Singh, about the objection his client had to appearing for examination by the CBI. The Senior Counsel stated that his client wanted an assurance that when he came to India for this purpose, he would have the services of a lawyer of his choice, Dinesh Mathur, and an assurance from the government that he would not be ill-treated in any manner and would be accorded all reasonable facilities. Appearing for the Union of India, I, as the Attorney-General, gave the requisite assurances. Thereupon, the matter was adjourned for two weeks to enable Mr. Quattrocchi to come to India. On the next date of hearing, Mr. Quattrocchi’s stand completely changed and he gave spurious excuses for not appearing. The Supreme Court took a serious view of the matter and, in its order, the Division Bench of Justices Nanavati and Phukan “expressed strong disapproval” of Mr. Quattrocchi’s conduct.

Soli J. Sorabjee,

New Delhi

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

No confidence in Modi
The new challenges in IT
Celeb crusades & the death of politics
Enough with the 100 days already
Fresh initiatives in SCO expansion
Intensive farming at heart of flu crisis
Subversion of justice
Outrageous
Sri Lankan crisis
Low turnout

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu